“Creed III” director and star Michael B. Jordan made sure to inject anime influences into his new film as much as possible.
In a recent interview with Polygon, Jordan, 36, divulged just how much of “Creed III” was inspired by various anime he grew up watching.
The ninth installment of the “Rocky” franchise sees Jordan return to his role as heavyweight boxing champion Adonis Creed, the son of legendary athlete Apollo Creed. This time around, Adonis squares off against an old childhood friend who mysteriously shows up out of the blue: Damian “Diamond Dame” Anderson, played by “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” star Jonathan Majors.
Jordan shared that as the two boxers fight it out, one particular action shot of them jabbing each other at the same time with a cross counterblow was influenced by the anime “Naruto” – specifically, episode 450 of “Naruto Shippuden.”
The fight between Creed and Damian had to be an even battle, and in an emotionally high place where these two men were both baring their souls to one another. The emotional level they were at, where they were coming at it from, the emotions between those two characters. That was the moment I leaned into with that scene from “Naruto.”
Jordan shared that he watches anime every day, so much so that certain action scenes are burned into his mind.
While developing the dynamic between Creed and Damian, Jordan also referenced the tried-and-true theme of heroes being challenged by a rival or friend.
He notably drew inspiration from anime relationships such as those of Goku and Vegeta from “Dragon Ball Z,” Ed and Alphonse from “Fullmetal Alchemist” and Bakugo and Midoriya from “My Hero Academia.”
They repackage these feelings and beats and emotions in different ways through different styles of animation. I’m watching “Blue Lock” right now — which is dope as f*ck — and that’s all about the ego of these characters, them developing their skills, and…
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